New York: Chatham Police officer struck by vehicle at school crossing

A Chatham Police officer on school crossing and traffic detail on Woodbridge Avenue this morning was struck by a vehicle exiting the school and turning left onto Woodbridge Avenue. In a press release issued by the Chatham Police Department, the incident happened at 7:50 a.m. The officer, Tom Lovett, was medically evaluated on scene and according to police Chief Peter Volkmann, only has minor injuries and returned to full duty right after being evaluated.

Lovett sustained lacerations to his hand, the result of striking the windshield of the car, said Columbia County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Lt. Wayne Lopez. The investigation was conducted by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. The female driver of the vehicle, an East Chatham resident, was ticketed for failure to obey an officer directing traffic, a traffic infraction, Lopez said. Drugs or alcohol were not factors in the accident, he added.

“She (the driver) wasn’t paying attention and struck him,” he said.